The five biggest upsets of the Australian Open history
The Australian Open is the first Slam of the season and, sometimes, being one of the first tournaments of the year, happens to see some great surprises and unexpected defeats. The great champions are sometimes fallen victims of outsiders, losing the matches that on the eve seemed almost a formality. Tennis World USA would like to recall the five biggest upsets of the Australian Open history.
1) Helena Sukova d. Martina Navratilova - 1984 Semifinals. At that time Martina Navratilova, number one of the WTA Ranking, seemed almost unbeatable. Arrived in the semifinals at the Australian Open she lost outright against Helena Sukova for 6-1 4-6 5-7. It was a defeat that surprised the world. In the final Sukova lost to Chris Evert in three sets!
2) Ramesh Krishnan d. Mats Wilander - 1989 second round. This was probably one of the most dramatic upset of the Australian Open. Wilander, world no. 1 and defending champion, lost in the second round against Ramesh Krishnan in three sets, with the score 3-6 2-6 6-7!
3) Amanda Coetzer d. Steffi Graf - 1997 fourth round. Difficult to think that Steffi Graf, winner of the last SIX Grand Slams in a row and with only one defeat in seven months, could lose that match. The impossible happened in Melbourne; Coetzer defeated the German for 6-2 7-5!
4) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d. Rafael Nadal - 2008 semifinal. This was one of the biggest surprises of the last decade. Nadal's defeat in the semifinals against the Frenchman was unexpected and incredible. Tsonga won for 6-2 6-3 6-2, sweeping away his opponent and getting his first and only Slam final!
5) Angelique Kerber d. Serena Williams - 2016 final. Impossible to think of a defeat by Serena Williams in the final of 2016. Still, starting as an outsider, the German defeated her rival in three sets, with the final score 6-4 3-6 6-4!
Source. YouTube
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2VSfPLx
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